Advertisement.
Elevated lead levels have been found in some City of Yellowknife facilities, the municipality said on Tuesday.
The city said it began tests of its own after the NWT government identified lead levels above Health Canada guidelines in multiple Yellowknife school buildings.
Officials had already said they suspected the issue extended beyond schools to the plumbing of various buildings built decades ago, when lead solder and certain types of brass fitting could cause problems.
The GNWT has said it is focused on schools because younger people are exposed in those buildings and lead’s toxic properties have an outsized effect on young children.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Elevated lead levels were reported by the city at these facilities:
- Yellowknife Community Arena: two downstairs washrooms, the lobby water fountain and canteen sink;
- Yellowknife Curling Club: bar sink;
- City Garage: kitchen sink; and
- City Hall: second-floor kitchen and second-floor water fountain.
No problems were found in the water at the fieldhouse or multiplex.
On Tuesday, municipal officials said the lead issue is restricted to buildings and not the broader city water supply.
“Elevated lead levels are limited to specific locations and may be associated with internal plumbing components. They do not affect the overall municipal water supply,” the city stated.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“The city’s water supply from the water treatment plant is tested regularly, is safe to drink, and meets all territorial and federal requirements.”
More city facilities will now be tested. Affected sinks and fountains have been taken out of service and the city said it is exploring “short and long-term solutions.”
Yellowknife’s water supply as a whole undergoes routine testing, as does water in every NWT community. Results from the past seven years are kept on the GNWT’s website, including monitoring for lead.
